On January 9, the Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner and meeting at PromiseLand Winery. Fifty members of the Guttenberg business community attended the dinner and program, which reviewed the Chamber’s 2016 projects and previewed activities planned for 2017. An election was held to fill two seats on the Chamber Board, with candidates Patty Schwarz of the Guttenberg Motel and Brandon Friedlein of Community Savings Bank filling seats vacated by Tom Augustyn and Molly Moser. A special program on family business succession planning was also provided by Kevin Hennessey of Thrivent Financial.
The Chamber reported on print advertising placed in 2016 for Guttenberg, collaborative marketing with Clayton County, and the cooperative commercial project featuring nine local businesses that ran from June through October in markets across the state and in Wisconsin.
In 2016, the Chamber was awarded four grants for a variety of community projects, including a Clayton County Foundation for the Future grant to purchase two bike racks and two benches to place in the downtown business district, and a grant from the Iowa Tourism Office to market GermanFest. The Chamber received a grant from the Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation for two signs directing highway travelers to the downtown via Schiller Street, and also received a scholarship from the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association to attend the Iowa Tourism Conference. The Chamber plans to write grants in 2017 for information kiosks, marketing projects, and to make improvements to community events.
The Chamber reported on print advertising placed in 2016 for Guttenberg, collaborative marketing with Clayton County, and the cooperative commercial project featuring nine local businesses that ran from June through October in markets across the state and in Wisconsin.
In 2016, the Chamber was awarded four grants for a variety of community projects, including a Clayton County Foundation for the Future grant to purchase two bike racks and two benches to place in the downtown business district, and a grant from the Iowa Tourism Office to market GermanFest. The Chamber received a grant from the Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation for two signs directing highway travelers to the downtown via Schiller Street, and also received a scholarship from the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association to attend the Iowa Tourism Conference. The Chamber plans to write grants in 2017 for information kiosks, marketing projects, and to make improvements to community events.
 One of two benches and bike racks provided by a grant from Clayton County Foundation for the Future. |  New signs at the intersection of Schiller Street and Highway 52 provided by a grant from Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation. |
Chamber staff wrote five new online itineraries to aid visitors in planning their stays in Guttenberg. Itineraries themes include “Art, Culture, and Culinary,” “Couple’s Getaway,” “Families with Children,” “Girls’ Weekend,” and “Nature Adventure,” and include suggestions for places to stay, eat, things to do and attractions to visit, and links to other services that visitors may need. The Chamber’s Youth Ambassador, Jaderial Staebler, created a video walking tour of Guttenberg’s historic downtown, which is also available on the Chamber's about webpage.
In 2017, the Chamber will be continuing their investigation of the Main Street Program, working on new marketing projects, a business recruitment guide, and a new and prospective resident guide. In addition to the coordinating a variety of community events, the Chamber will be holding architectural awareness contests to draw attention to our historic buildings, and working with owners of vacant downtown buildings to spruce up their spaces.
Business members of the Chamber benefit from a listing on the Chamber’s website and inclusion in our online itineraries, having their help wanted postings listed online, inclusion in printed promotional materials like attraction brochures, calendar of events cards, and business directories. We refer visitors and residents to our members and include them in Chamber coordinated contests. Members receive invitations to area business development seminars, and have their business cards and brochures distributed through the Welcome Center and in welcome bags given to new residents. The deadline to be included in the 2017 business directory has been extended to January 31. Contact the Welcome Center at 563-252-2323 to join the Chamber, renew your membership, or to learn more about what the Chamber offers.
Upcoming Chamber events:
February 11: Eagle Watch & Cabin Fever Day
In 2017, the Chamber will be continuing their investigation of the Main Street Program, working on new marketing projects, a business recruitment guide, and a new and prospective resident guide. In addition to the coordinating a variety of community events, the Chamber will be holding architectural awareness contests to draw attention to our historic buildings, and working with owners of vacant downtown buildings to spruce up their spaces.
Business members of the Chamber benefit from a listing on the Chamber’s website and inclusion in our online itineraries, having their help wanted postings listed online, inclusion in printed promotional materials like attraction brochures, calendar of events cards, and business directories. We refer visitors and residents to our members and include them in Chamber coordinated contests. Members receive invitations to area business development seminars, and have their business cards and brochures distributed through the Welcome Center and in welcome bags given to new residents. The deadline to be included in the 2017 business directory has been extended to January 31. Contact the Welcome Center at 563-252-2323 to join the Chamber, renew your membership, or to learn more about what the Chamber offers.
Upcoming Chamber events:
February 11: Eagle Watch & Cabin Fever Day
RSS Feed
